in the
world do you expect we are going to encounter out here on the high seas?
We are not at war with the French."

"Captain Chubb thinks we may meet with the privateer," said Rodd
merrily.

"Don't you make rude remarks, Rodney!" cried Uncle Paul angrily. "Well,
there, captain, I suppose you will have your own way, but it seems to me
great waste of time."

"Oh no, sir," said the skipper good-humouredly. "I suppose you mean to
run in and up some of those rivers we shall pass by and by?"

"Most certainly," cried the doctor.

"Well, and what then, sir? You are going right out of civilisation
there, and among black tribes and warlike people who are ready for
anything, from attacking another tribe and bringing the prisoners down
the river to sell for slaves, up to taking a fancy to any smart craft
they can master, and then stripping her and burning her to the water's
edge."

"And what becomes of the crews?" cried Rodd sharply.

"Well, Mr Rodd, that's rather a hard question to answer. If ever you
go to Liverpool or Bristol and you get asking questions amongst the
merchants there, you will find they have got some queer tales to tell.
Sorry you don't like my plans, Dr Robson, but even if we never get into
trouble we shall be none the worse for being prepared."

"Oh, I am not going to complain, Captain Chubb. Drill away as much as
you like. You say the men like it, and it satisfies you. Then my boy
Rodd, here, nothing will please him better than letting him have a
canister of gunpowder to play with and pop off that gun. So I am in a
minority, and I will give in. There, you'd better take Rodd and drill
him too."

"I'll take you at your word, sir," said Captain Chubb, laughing, and
making Rodd start with eagerness. "Fall in, my lads. Pikes."

The drilling went on till it was beginning to grow dusk, and then pikes
were laid aside and orders given for the gun crew to take their places,
Rodd closing up quickly in anticipation of something coming off.

"Rather warm weather, Mr Rodd, sir," whispered Joe Cross, as, aided by
another of the crew, he proceeded to cast loose the lashings and strip
the tarpaulin off the long gun. "If it warn't for the showers this 'ere
pocket pistol might very well do without her greatcoat. I say, sir,
didn't I hear your uncle tell the old man that you were to have a
canister of powder just to fire her off once or twice?"

"Yes, Joe, but I think it was only to tease me."

"You